Expert: DebiN - 7/29/2011

Question
I have been having interrupted service with my AT&T woreless phone.  During conversations, it will go silent (or sometimes a buzzing sound is heard) and when I look, I have full service bars on my phone.  I thought it might be the phone, so I got one from my brother that was rarely used.  Same issue.  So, I went out and bought a new one.  Same issue.  Could it be my SIM card?  I have had this card for years!  I think about 6 years now.  If I go to the AT&T store can they replace it?  How much does a new card cost?

Answer
If you are using a SIM card that is 6 years old, then the issue could very well be the SIM card. The network has grown and changed and the SIM card you have cannot access all of the towers in the AT&T network. I would recommend that you go the AT&T store and ask them to replace your SIM card. Be sure that you have your phone with you and that you have your contacts backed up on your phone and anything else that is only saved to the SIM card before you do and have them help you at the store if you have trouble with this. They won't charge you to upgrade your SIM if you ask them. The company wants people on the latest SIMs, so it shouldn't be an issue. Whenever you get a new phone in the future, it's a good idea to upgrade to the new SIM that comes with it. That way you stay current with the network. Hope this helps.